My Lord Eternity (Immortal Rogues #2)(57)

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice still thick with sleep.

He smiled as he lowered his hand to catch her fingers in a firm grip.

"I desired to discover if you are as beautiful in the morning as I imagined in my dreams," he lightly teased. "After all, if I am to spend an eternity awakening with you in my arms, I do not wish to be unpleasantly surprised with the knowledge your teeth are false and your mood foul."

The blue eyes abruptly sparkled at his words. It was a welcome change from the shadows that had lingered over the past few days.

"Indeed? And pray who mentioned anything of you spending the night in my bed?" she demanded.

His thumb stroked over her knuckles. "Is that not where your husband belongs?"

She stilled, her breath suddenly rasping in the quiet air. "Husband?"

Lucien regarded her closely, well aware this was the most important moment in his Immortal life.

"You said that you loved me."

"Yes."

"Is it not the custom for humans who care for each other to wed?"

"But... you are not human," she pointed out in weak tones.

Lucien could not prevent his soft chuckle. "Yes, I know. Still, I intend to live as one and I wish to indulge in your rituals."

There was a long, unnerving silence, and Lucien briefly feared that Jocelyn might have reconsidered over the past two days. It could not be easy to accept that he was not a mortal as she. That he was, indeed, a monster from ancient myth.

His fears were not appeased when her beautiful eyes abrupdy filled with tears.

"Oh."

His heart faltered as he leaned toward her with an anxious expression.

"What is it, Jocelyn?"

"I... After the scandal I presumed that I would never wed. After all, what gentleman would ever forgive my ruined reputation?" she at last said in choked tones. "Eventually I convinced myself that I no longer cared. What did I need with an overbearing husband? Or even children who could never take their place in society? I told myself that I was better off on my own."

He gazed deep into her shimmering eyes. "And now? Do you wish to be my wife?"

"Oh, Lucien." She reached up to cup his face in her hands. "With all my heart."

He sucked in a ragged breath, relief surging through him with the heady potency of a fine brandy.

"Then it is settled."

"Yes," she murmured softly.

With exquisite care Lucien lowered his head to gently brush her lips. It was a kiss to seal their fate. A pledge of their future together. Lightly he tasted of her sweetness before reluctantly pulling back to absently toy with a dark curl that lay against her cheek.

"My wife," he murmured softly.

Appearing flushed and utterly desirable, she regarded him with a quizzical smile.

"Lucien."

"Yes, my dear?"

"You said that you wished to indulge in my rituals. Do vampires not wed?"

Lucien paused. There was nothing more he desired than to truly bond with this woman. To share the Immortal Kiss so that they were one. But Jocelyn was mortal. She could not possibly comprehend the sheer intimacy that would come of the sharing of blood.

"It is rather a different sort of ceremony," he offered in vague tones.

Predictably her curiosity was instantly aroused. "What do you mean?"

He gave a slow shake of his head. "I am uncertain that you are prepared, my sweet."

"Why?"

Clearly she would not be satisfied until he had revealed all, Lucien acknowledged wryly.

Thankfully he loved her as much for her stubborn spirit as for her kind heart.

"Because our bonding is not of pretty words and pledges but of our very souls," he explained in low tones. "We become one with each other, sharing our hearts and emotions and even our thoughts. It can be far too intimate for mortals."

She considered his words for a moment, and then astonishingly raised her hands to touch the amulet that glowed about her neck.

"But I am not just another mortal. I have the Medallion."

Lucien briefly considered the powerful artifact. It was true that the Medallion was subtly changing the maiden. And Nefri had implied that her future would not be that of a mere human.

Perhaps it would be possible.

"Yes," he murmured.

She gazed deep into his eyes. "I want to be one with you, Lucien."

"There is no turning back," he warned.

"Good." She reached out to touch his cheek. "Tell me how."

"We must drink of each other's blood."

Despite her best intentions, Jocelyn could not entirely disguise her brief flare of shock.

"I see."

Lucien smiled, covering her hand with his own. "Jocelyn, we will know when the time is proper. For now we have a wedding to plan."

A hint of relief lightened her beautiful features. "Yes."

"And swiftly." He deliberately allowed his gaze to lower toward the thin fabric of her gown.

That ready heat flowed swiftly through his veins. Two centuries of suppressed passion were not easily ignored. "I grow weary of that cramped bed in the garret."

A faint color stained her cheeks, but her own eyes darkened with a smoldering need. The air in the bedchamber was suddenly thick with awareness.